Changing Face of the Middle East Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel, in coordination with the United States, had launched a joint military operation against Iran to neutralize what he called an existential threat. The campaign, referred to as “Operation Rising Lion,” was described as a decisive strike targeting Iran’s military infrastructure, including underground facilities, to prevent potential attacks on Israel and U.S. interests. Netanyahu emphasized that the operation was conducted with full understanding and support from U.S. President Donald Trump, whom he thanked for his leadership in addressing the Iranian threat. Netanyahu framed the strikes as a necessary measure to counter Iran’s growing military capabilities, which he claimed were being hidden in fortified underground sites to evade detection. He warned that if Iran succeeded in restoring these capabilities, it could pose a catastrophic risk to Israel and the global community. The prime minister stated that the operation was timed to preempt Iran’s plans, which he alleged included the development of atomic weapons and thousands of missiles capable of targeting Israel. In his remarks, Netanyahu highlighted the results of the first week of the campaign, asserting that the strikes had eliminated key Iranian leadership figures, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, and destroyed hundreds of ballistic missile launchers. He argued that these actions had significantly reduced the threat to Israel and marked a turning point in the region’s power dynamics. “We have turned Israel into a regional power,” he said, adding that the operation was part of a broader strategy to reshape the Middle East following the October 7 attacks.#iran #united_states #israeli_prime_minister_benjamin_netanyahu #iranian_supreme_leader_ayatollah_khamenei #iranian_islamic_revolutionary_guard_corps
